Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Seattle?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Seattle?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Seattle?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Madison vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Madison, WI versus $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 37% higher in Seattle, WA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$1,638

+61% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,858

+52% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$2,359

+65% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$2,918

+65% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$912,100

+163% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$121,984

+58% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$72,610

+25% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

35.5 yr

+3.7 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

46.6%

44.2%

+2.4 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

67.5%

+8.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

19.4 min

26.6 min

+7.2 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

788.6

+204% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

1,884.5

5,108.8

+171% in Seattle, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

53.5°F

+7.0°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

37.7 in

+3.2 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.31/gal

+35% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.9

+24% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$20.41

+73% in Seattle, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Madison vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Seattle?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Seattle?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).